Refrigerating apparatus



B. Y. KINZEY ,REFRIGERATING' APPARATUS@ I lJgm'zlsmz.

Fileld Dec. 23, 19258 Patented June 2, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y cassoni i anralcsaa'rmc ArrAnA'rUs i V Bertram Y. Kinzey, Richmond, Va.

Application December 23, 1938, Serial No. 247,510

(Cl, (s2- 114) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more particularly to refrigerators of the domestic type embodylna special freezing compartment which is adapted to receive trays for the freezing of ice cubes andthe like. 4It has heretofore been proposed to employ in freezing compartments in suchv refrigerators a special form of container for the chilling or freezing of V dessert mixturea the container being provided with means such as theA conventional dasher for agitating the mixture during freezing to improve the consistency and uniformity of the chilled or frozen product. One such form of apparatus is disclosed in my prior Patent 1,987,258, granted January 8, 1935, which is directed primarilyto improvements in the mechanism for operating the dasher.A i

The present invention is more especially concerned with improvements in the container and dasher and with the driving mechanism immediately associated therewith, and has for an object the provision of a container assembly which may be readily introduced in and removed from the freezing compartment, which is constructed to afford the maximum rate of heat transfer and optimum cooperativev relationship between the dasher and container. A further object of the invention is the provision of a container of the character described which prevents the mixture fromthe container but leakage of facilitates access to the mixture for the removal `f a p0rnon thereof without withdrawal of the dasher.

ln the preferred form of the invention the container is formed to provide a generally rectangular exterior aordingfiat surfaces, and a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical interior surface.

the exterior being diniensioned for reception in y the freezing compartment in s uch manner as to afford maximum contact with the cold surfaces of the compartment.` The container is so formed that the longest dimension thereof is disposed horizontally when in freezing position in the compartment, and the dasher is iournalled for rotation on a horizontal axis coincident with the the axis of the interior surface. yThe interior of container is accessible through an opening in the upper side thereof, whereby the possibility of leakage through the access opening is eliminated, and this opening may be provided with a closure member forming a` part of the cylindrical .interior surface about which the. dasher moves.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container of the type described which is in-y expensive to construct, relatively light in weight,

units, and is so illustrated herein.

and which may be readily manipulated, even by one having no skill, with apparatus of this type. Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description i of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 1; 4and Figure 4 is an end elevation of the dasher shown in the preceding figures.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the i invention, reference is made to the preferred embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing and specific language is employed to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the invention is thereby intended, but that various alterations and further modifications thereof are contemplated such as would occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

As hereinbefore stated, the invention finds its principal application in domestic refrigerating Thus in Figure 1 of the drawing is shown the outside wall iii of such a unit, the usual door ii being associated with the open front of the unit. It will be understood that the door and wall are formed in accordance with conventionalpractice so as to afford effective heat insulation.

The freezing compartment, indicated generally at il, is defined by four walls I5 in which are disposed the convolutions I6 of a cooling coil, the compartment being generally rectangular in shape and open at the front and rear, and being so dimensioned and constructed as to receive and support a plurality of trays I8 in which ice cubes are formed. The structure thus far described is wholly conventional in domestic refrigerating apparatus and the details thereof form no part of the instant invention.

When it is desired to chill or freeze a special mixture, such as Va dessert, one or more ofthe ferred to as a dessert container. VThe container illustrated herein is ofsuch` size as to require the removal of two ice trays, and is so dimensioned as to substantially nil the space normally occupied by such trays, it being necessary first to remove the support for the upper of the two trays. The container 2l is preferably formed so as to denne bythe exterior surfaces thereof a partment, and the height of the container is such that the upper edges of the latter are disposed in proximity to the upper wall'of the compartment. The open upper side of the container may 'be closed, if desired, by a cover plate 28 which rests on the upper edges of the side walls thereof and is retained thereon against displacement in any suitable manner as illustrated more particularly in Figure 2. A handle 29 is provided on the front wail of the container to facilitate withdrawal of the latter from the freezing compartment.

A dasher shaft 35 extends generally longitudinally of the container and is journalled in the opposite end walls thereof for rotation about a horizontal axis when the container-is in position in the freezing compartment. At opposite ends thereof the shaft 3B is provided with dasher arms 36. in which are mounted for slight pivotal movement a pair of longitudinally extending blades l 31, the arms and blades being constructed and assembled in conventional manner. The arm 36 at the forward end of the shaft lli is providedv with a boss 39 having a cylindrical aperture for the reception of 'a trunnion 40 secured tothe forward wall oi' the container and projecting inv cate in the opening. A at spring B9 is secured to the exterior of the rear wall of the container, and the forked end III oi' this spring embraces a reduced portion 8| on the stub shaft u, thespring tioned. When the mixture has been introduced in the container, the, latter is pushed rearwardly in the freezing compartment to engage the stub shaft. and the clutch member il, whereupon rotation of thel dasher may be initiated by energization of the motor.

It is generally recognized that in the operation of freezing apparatus of this character it is highly desirable to continuously remove from the zone adjacent the inner surface of the container the particles of the mixture which are congealed or partly frozen by contact with such surface, in

order that they may be replaced by 'particles having a higher tempera-ture. It is also desirable to displace the partly frozen particles upwardly as they are removed from adjacent the container wall, so that warmer particles may move into the lower and cooler portion ofthe container. It will be observed that by means of the construction which I employ, the continuous removal and upward displacement of the particles is readily enacted. 'I'hus the blades 31, which are pivotally mounted on the arms 36, readily swing outward into engagement with the lower portion of the container wail under the influence of gravity and without the application of high rotational speed to the dasher. Furthermore, as the blades 31 are rotatedabout the curved wall, they lift the partly frozen particles toward the upper portion of the container, and it is thus unnecessary to use blades of substantial width or of special configuration in order to secure this upward displacement of the particles. The result is very simply achieved by forming the interiorfwall of the lower portion of the chamber, in which the most rapid cooling occurs. of substantially semi-cylindrical shape about a substantially horizontal axis, the said axis being generally co-extensive with the axis of rotation of 'cold walls of the freezing compartment. Hownormally urging the shaft 44 forwardly, but limiting such forward movement. Adjacent the rearward end thereof the stub shaft M is provided with a projecting pin Il, which is adapted to engage in slots M formed in a clutch member 6l when the container is introduced in the freezing compartment. The clutch device thereby afforded, which may be constructed as described more particularly in my prior patent hereinbefore referred to, serves to connect the smb shaft M and dasher shaft 3U with driving reduction gearing enclosed in a housing II formed integrally with a motor housing l1 carried by the rear wall I0 of the unit, whereby the dasher may be rotated.

It will be observed from the structure thus far described that the dasher may be readily introduced within thecontainer through the upper side of the latter. journalled on the trunnion-M, and coupled to the stub shaft M upon rearward displacement of the 'latter against the action'of the spring I9, the spring normally retaining the stub shaft 44 in operative relation with lthe Y partment, so that effective and rapid heat transfer dasher once the latter has been properly posi- 76 ever, I have discovered that it is further essential to provide for rapid conduction of heat from the curved inner wall to the flat outer surface, and 'I therefore form the lower half of the container as a solid integral metal member. as shown more particularly in Figure il.v In this manner, proper cooperation between the' blades 81 and the coldest container walls is insured, and the heat is conducted away from these walls through solid metal directly to the cold walls of the freezing comis established and continuously maintained.

- It will be observed that the only point at which leakage can possibly occur is through the opening 48 at the rear wall of the container, and I have lfound that no packing is needed at this point provided there isa snug fit between the stub shaft u and. the wall of the opening. This is probably due in part to the fact that in the use of. containers of this type allowance must be made for expansion of the mixture on freezing, so that the container is ordinarily only partially filled, and the pressure exerted adjacent the opening l! is much lessthan that which would be exerted sdjacent the lower peripheral portion of the more conventional `endl closure member. Again, the circumferential extent Vof the opening is very much smaller than the circumference of the whole container.

I have found it preferable to voperate my dasher at a rotational speed of about 25 R. P. M., the

proper speed being established by the use of the reduction gearing hereinbefore referred to, and at such a low speed there is little tendency to discharge the mixture from the open top of the container when the dasher is rotated. Howdrical member 62 which is thus removable with the cover plate. The iternallateral dimension of the .upper half of the container is slightly greater than the diameter of the lower semi-cylin-4 drioal surface defining the interior `thereof, i whereby the lower edges of the member 82 may seat on abutting edges 64` at each side of the co'ntainer. It will be observed that by thisconstruction the container presents a smooth and substantially continuous cylindrical interior surface, so

that the dasher may cooperate with the entire interior wall of the container. It is of course feasible to construct the cover plate 28 and themem- 4ber 62 as a solid unit, in substantial duplication `of the lower half of the container, but I find that it is preferable to reduce the weight by elimination of metal vbetween the'member 62 and cover plate 2B. The resultant reduction in cooling efflciency is immaterial, since the principal heat transfer occurs through the wall defining the lower half of the container.

It will be appreciated that with this construction, the removal ofthe cover plate 2d renders the interior of the container readily accessible for the -extraction of a part only of the frozen mixture, and 'that the dasher need not be withdrawn for this purpose.

Obviously my improved container may be employed. in conjunction with other types of drive combination with a container having'upstanding side walls and a bottom wall affording a substantially semi-cylindrical internal surface, said container being open at the upper side, of a closure member for said upper sideformedtov provide a semi-*cylindrical internal surface disposed in complementary relation to said first named internal surface and surrounded laterally f by said side walls.

'i per side to permit the introduction of ya dessert` emixture therein, said container having a sub- 3. In refrigerating apparatus for domestic use of the typeiprovided with an ice tray receiving chamber having a front'opening through which ice trays may be introduced, the combination with a dessert container for reception within said chamber, said vcontainervhavimz walls affording external surfaces defining generally a rectangular parallelopiped and being open at the upstantially semi-cylindrical lower internal surface', of agitating means for displacing congealed particles of the mixture from a zone adjacent said internal surface, meansfsupporting said agitating means in said container for rotation about a generally horizontal axis substantially coextensive with the axis ofV the said semi-cylindrical v internal surface, said supporting means including an element coaxialwith said agitating means andn extending through a wall of the container, said element being displaceable axially into rotative driving engagement with said agitating means, and removable closure .means for said upper side.

4. In refrigerating apparatus for domestic use l of the type provided with an ice tray receiving' chamber having a front opening through which ice traysv may be introduced, the combinationl with a dessert container insertable in said chamber, said container having a solid lower portion mechanism than that illustrated; for example I may use the type of drivedisclosed in my prior patenthereinbefore referred to, and may associate with this drive control mechanism of the character shownl in the patent or of more con-V ventional character.

" chamberfsaid container having fiat external suraording a fiat external bottom surface and a substantially semi-cylindrical internal surface,

of agitating means supported in said container for rotation about a generally horizontal axis substantially coextensive with the axis of thel `said semi-cylinc' 'ical internal surface.v driving means disposed adjacent the rear of said chamber, means for coupling said driving means with said agitating means on insertion of said container in said chamber, and removable closure means for lsaid upper side.

v5. In refrigerating apparatus for 'domestic'use of the type provided with an ice tray receiving chamber having a front opening through which -ice trays may be introduced.,l the combination with a dessert container for reception within said chamber, of agitating means wit said container, means supporting said agitating means for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, said supporting means including an element coaxial faces defining generally a rectangular parallelo-,

piped and being open at the upper side to permit the introduction of a dessert mixture therein, said container having a substantially semicylindrical lower internal surface, of agitating means supported in' said container for rotation about a generally horizontal axis substantially coextensive with the axis of the, said semicylin' drical internal surface, and closure means for the open upper side of said container, said closure means being formed to afford an internal, substantially semi-cylindrical surface disposed in complementary relation to said first named internal surface. d l

2. In apparatus for freezing edible liquids, the

with said agitating means and extending through a 'wall of the container, said element being displaceable axially into` rotative driving engagement with said agitating means, driving means disposed adjacent the rear of said chamber, and means for mechanicallyv coupling said driving means with said element on insertion of said container in said chamber.

6. In refrigerating apparatus for domestic use of the type provided with an ice tray receiving chamber having a front opening'through which ice trays may be introduced, the combination with a dessert container for reception within said chamben'of agitating means within said container, means supporting said" agitating means for rotation about aA generally horizontal axis,

axial with vsaid agitating means and extending through a wall of the container, said element being rotatively coupled to said agitating means,

driving means disposed adjacent the rear of' said chamber, and means for effecting mechanicall rotative coupling of said driving means with said element on insertion of said container in said chamber.

7. In apparatus for freezing edible mixtures,

the combination with a container having an insurface and an opening for the introduction of the mixture, of removable closure means for said lopening having an internal wall cooperating with said rst named wall to define the complemen tary portion of said cylindrical surface, and agi tating means mounted in said container for rota'- tion on the axis of said cylindrical surface, said agitating means having portions extending into `ternal wall defining part only of a cylindrical an ice trayjreceiving asumo? 'said supporting means including an element coclose proximity to said walls to eect displacelment of chilled particles therefrom. l

8. In apparatus for freezing edible mirures,

the combination with a container having an internal wall defining part only of a cylindrical surface and an opening for the introduction of the mixture, of removable closure means for said opening having an 'internal wall cooperating with said rst named wall to define the complementary portion of said cylindrical surface, and agitating means mounted in said container for rotation on 

